Jimmie Dale was a master safe cracker who was wealthy, but committed crimes for the thrill. Jimmie's father owned a company which produced safes and other locks, giving Jimmie a great familiarity with safecracking at a young age. He never actually stole anything, but broke into homes, stores, and public buildings at night, leaving behind a gray diamond paper seal. Unfortunately, he was discovered one night, while breaking into Marx’s jewelry store, and he accidentally stole a pearl necklace in his hurried escape. The unidentified witness. known as the Woman in Black, black mailed Dale into working for her, and set him against the Underworld of New York City. The woman, calling herself the Tocsin in letters sent to Dale to inform him of what actions he ought to take to stop different crimes